They call themselves progressives. They speak of democracy, liberation, and people’s power. Yet, within their own circles, freedom of thought is the first to vanish. Behind the fiery rhetoric of “national democracy” lies a culture that increasingly resembles a cult, one that thrives on blind loyalty, silences dissent, and preaches sacrifice it refuses to live by.

Today, activism online has become the norm, but a kind of “unprincipled activism” is changing the flow of national democratic discourse. According to former rebel Job David, there is a noticeable rise in arrogance and hostility among activists on social media.

Isang dating kasapi ng New People’s Army (NPA) na kinilalang si Pobi Sy ang nagsalita laban sa online harassment na natanggap niya mula sa i

“Kung mayroon mang may kasalanan sa pagkamatay ng dalawa, iyon ay mga kasama nila mismo. Iniwan nila sina Ka Mutya at Ka Jonnel sa gitna ng barilan nang walang suporta mula sa main body. Bukod pa rito, hindi ninakaw ng mga sundalo ang bangkay—bagkus ay ginawa nila ang responsibilidad na pangasiwaan ito bilang pagkilala sa kaaway, isang bagay na madalas ay hindi kayang gawin ng NPA,”

The Taguig City Regional Trial Court acquitted five senior cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) of kidnapping with murder and frustrated murder. The accused—Tirso Alcantara, Dionisio Almonte, Diony Borre, Renante Gamara, and Raul Razo—were freed on the grounds of reasonable doubt, citing lack of solid evidence in securing their convictions.

Kalaunan, napagtanto ni Ka Star na ang mga pangako ng kilusan ay pawang bingwit lamang upang makapagparami ng hukbo.

Paano nakakatulong — at saan pa puwedeng humusay — ang livelihood support para sa mga dating rebelde

“Nagsurrender ako sa Arakan, North Cotabato noong 2021, pero dito sa Davao del Norte na ako nagpatulong maasikaso ang aking mga kaso dahil mas malapit ito sa CARAGA,” ani Tay Chris. “Mula noon ay dito na rin ako tumira sa Balay Panaghiusa at naging aktibo sa Kalinaw SEMR.”

“Kaya't nang inabot ng gobyerno ang kanilang kamay, pinili kong sumama sa landas ng kapayapaan,” Ani ni Ka Aryo. “Pinili kong magbalik-loob. Pinili kong piliin ang kapayapaan kaysa sa walang katapusang labanan.”

“They claim they rescued our children. But we ask—rescued from whom?” the council asked. “Our children were not rescued. They were used, exposed to danger, and removed without our knowledge or consent. That is exploitation dressed as solidarity.”

“I believed the people's war would succeed,” he said. “For nearly two decades, I trained myself and others, enduring hardship and sacrifice for the cause.” But the deeper Felix got into the movement, the more disillusioned he became. From 1996 to 2004, he witnessed firsthand the stark inequality within the leadership of the CPP-NPA. While preaching about justice, some high-ranking cadres lived in luxury, refused accountability, and mirrored the very oppressive systems they

    “The cadres of the CPP within the national democratic movement are deluding themselves due to the ongoing exposure of their deception against the people,” Legaspi told Kontra Kwento. “Facing diminishing options, they are now advocating for a law that would impose penalties on any government officials, employees, and ‘agents’ who are allegedly involved in what they term ‘red-tagging.’”